Bluegrass music - Music City Music Magazine

MerleFest 2025 Highlights

Nancy PoseyMay 3, 2025May 16, 20250

While first-time performers at MerleFest–particularly those outside the bluegrass genre–sometimes express concern that their music may be outside of audience expectations, regular festival-goers know the musical borders are wide. Wyatt Flores suggested he might be “the elephant in the room.” His devoted fans throughout the audience begged to differ. Then...

Who’s Coming to MerleFest: Full Cord

Nancy PoseyApr 15, 2025April 15, 20250

For Michigan-based bluegrass band Full Cord, MerleFest has long been the kickoff of festival season. Guitarist Eric Langejans and bassist Todd Kirchner both attended the festival for years before they knew each other. Langejans first attended the North Wilkesboro, NC, festival with a friend when he was twenty and has...

Who’s Coming to MerleFest: Woody Platt

Nancy PoseyApr 14, 20250

Woody Platt describes his MerleFest experience as an interesting evolution. “Back in college, we flocked to the festival,” he said, “but mainly to go on the camp on the airstrip and play music in the campground. Sometimes we didn’t have tickets or we only could go in for a day...

Appalachian Aid Benefit Concert@City Winery–Nashville

Nancy PoseyOct 30, 2024October 31, 20240

(Cover Photo: Laci Mack) On October 28, City Winery was the setting for Appalachian Aid, a benefit concert for people living in the tri-state area affected by Hurricane Helene. The idea for the project was born when members of the Kristy Cox and Grasstime, returning home from IBMA World of...

Thomas Cassell Releases “The Never-Ending Years”

Nancy PoseyOct 4, 2024October 4, 20240

Thomas Cassell’s mandolin skills have long garnered respect in the bluegrass world. He is regularly enlisted to play on stage and in the studio with the biggest names in music and with the rising stars. His third solo album The Never-Ending Years, released October 4 on Mountain Fever Records, provides...

Stephen and Jana Mougin: Bluegrass Mondays at Dee’s

Nancy PoseyAug 7, 2024September 23, 20240

Bluegrass Mondays at Dee’s Country Cocktail Lounge have become a favorite weekly event for music lovers—and musicians—in the Nashville areas. After a six-year residency, East Nash Grass has taken a break while touring, with other local musicians filling the slot. On Monday this week, Jana and Stephen Mougin took to...

RED MOUNTAIN BOYS @ THE STATION INN

Nancy PoseyJun 16, 20242

It takes more than matching red Western shirts and cowboy hats to make a band. Red Mountain Boys showed the audience at the Station Inn on Friday that they have more—much more. The Colorado-based bluegrass band played to a packed house, with light, friendly banter between their all-original songs. Their...

JULIE AND JOHN PENNELL: KEEP ON WALKIN’

Nancy PoseyJul 4, 2020July 6, 20200

By the time Julie and John Pennell met at an Ontario Bluegrass festival, they had both begun putting down deep roots in Bluegrass. John played with Vassar Clements and in the early years with Alison Krauss and Union Station. Growing up in North Bay, Ontario, Julie came from a big...